The MOOC Model: Elements

Typical elements of a MOOC

There are many types of elements that can be incorporated into a MOOC. Each course publishing platform has special technical capabilities, and many also allow linking to external resources with additional functionality.

Be sure to design each element with your specific learning outcomes in mind. An element created with a too vague or general vision of its precise purpose can worsen the result of the course as a whole.

Below we present the most common types of elements, present on all commonly used platforms.

1. Video

Each video must be accompanied by a suitable title, and usually a short description.

2. Item

An element of the article type course consists of a text that allows the participant to delve into a specific topic. The student can use it as a reference, or make their own summary from it.

An article should be long enough to read in five to ten minutes, and may include appropriate graphics or images.

Frequently, an article includes at the end a task or an invitation to action: delve into the topic looking for information, participate in a discussion originating from the text, analyze the case presented or carry out a complementary task, etc.

3. Questionnaire (Quizz)

Quiz-type questionnaires are an element of training reinforcement through self-assessment. It is not required to exceed a minimum grade or number of attempts, nor are they taken into account for obtaining a certificate. The participants find in them an opportunity to clarify ideas or locate points that need to be revised.

4. Evaluation test

Unlike the previous ones, the evaluative questionnaires are scored and must be passed in order to obtain a certificate of completion of the course.

5. Work

Activities that students can easily develop.

6. Peer-to-peer, P2P evaluation work

Co-evaluation or peer evaluation is a process through which students and teachers participate in the evaluation of student work.

7. Survey

This element offers everyone a multiple choice answer question, associated with the topic, the learning element or the week in question. The final result is displayed in a histogram. This element encourages conversation, and gives visibility to the opinion or knowledge of the participants while maintaining the anonymity of individual responses.

8. Conversation (contributions to forums)

They help communication and exchange of ideas.